Daylesford ChillOut: Pride feels at home in regional Victoria

On its journey through regional Australia, the CommBank Tour visited Daylesford for the ChillOut Festival, where community, pride and belonging took centre stage. 

Held each year in regional Victoria, ChillOut is one of Australia’s longest-running and largest regional LGBTQIA+ pride festivals.  

Across a weekend of parades, performances and community events, the town transforms into a hub of celebration - drawing visitors from across the country while remaining deeply rooted in its local community. 

ChillOut has its own vibe, feeling local and personal rather than a big city festival taking place in a different town.  

For Andrew Staite, CEO of The Pinnacle Foundation and a Daylesford local, it’s important to recognise the particular challenges that young queer people can face in regional Australia. 

“About four in 10 of the young people we support come from regional, remote parts of Australia,” he says. "Often when their families have found out they're queer, they haven't supported them. And, as a result, they move away.” 

Living proudly, wherever you are

Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities Joe Ball works across government and community to improve inclusion and outcomes for LGBTQIA+ people in Victoria. It’s important to remember that there are communities right across the state, he says.

“We don't just live in Prahran and Brunswick, we actually live in all parts of Victoria, from Mildura to Echuca to, here, in Daylesford.” 

But living outside major cities can be tough for younger people still finding their footing.

Through scholarships, mentoring and community support, The Pinnacle Foundation works with LGBTQIA+ Australians who have experienced challenges such as family or community rejection, helping them rebuild stability and access new opportunities. 

“Having Pinnacle there not only to provide funds to support their education, but also giving them a community around them and the support of a mentor, is enormously powerful,” Staite says.

Why it matters

For young people, feeling safe and accepted can shape how they engage with school, work and their future.

Nicholas Allen, a CommBank Home Lender and member of Unity Network, CommBank’s LGBTIQ+ and ally employee network, said self-expression plays a key role. 

“A lot of people in our community have had to do some introspective work to be comfortable in their own skin, and to be able to radiate with authenticity towards the young people really helps them show up,” he says.  

A different kind of pride celebration

Major pride events often centre on capital cities, but Daylesford offers something different: a place where people come not just to celebrate, but to feel at ease. 

Local business owner Gary Grach sees that shift each year as visitors return. “Some people feel really comfortable coming to a country town,” he says. 

“Every year seems to be getting bigger. It's probably my favourite weekend of the year,” says Grach, who owns Daylesford Trading Co.

That sense of comfort has helped shape Daylesford’s identity over time. For many, it’s a place to return to, and in some cases call home. 

“We won an award for being one of the Top 10 friendliest towns in the world,” Grach says. 

“I think a lot of the people who come here for ChillOut just love how open and embracing the whole community is and they find it a special place that people come back every year.” 

The CommBank Tour, a national initiative designed to enhance financial fitness in regional Australia, visited Daylesford as part of this year’s ChillOut Festival. Visit The CommBank Tour to learn more.